Design Your Own Mug — No Kiln Required

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Ceramic markers make it easy to personalize any type of dishware with a hand-made motif or message

Those paint-your-own-plate studios are fun to visit on a rainy day, but you really don't need any special glazes or equipment to customize ceramics. (Surprising, I know!) All you need is a ceramic paint pen, like the Pebeo Porcelaine 150 markers, which you can find at art supply stores. After a quick stint in the oven, the decorated dinnerware becomes dishwasher-safe and ready to display. I even like to use these pens to personalize thrift store-sourced plates with handwritten messages or quotes. But really, as long as you're writing on a shiny ceramic surface, the possibilities are only limited by imagination.

Ceramic Paint Pens Available in a rainbow of colors for about $5 each, at DickBlick.com.

Tissue paper Or tracing paper, which you'll use to transfer a hand-drawn image.

Pencil For drawing and transferring.

A mug or plate Whatever you start with, make sure its been washed and thoroughly dried. The paint won't adhere to even the tiniest particle of oil. For extra insurance, I swab the ceramic pieces with a light coat of rubbing alcohol and let dry overnight.

Step 1: Draw a design on tissue paper
Until you get used to drawing on a slick ceramic surface, it's best to start out with a basic design. For my mug, I did a few retro 50's-inspired starbursts. Sketch your design onto the tissue paper.

Step 2: Turn tissue into transfer paper
Turn the tissue paper over. Using your pencil, "scribble" over the back of each drawing. This will deposit a layer of graphite, so you will be able to transfer the designs.

Step 3: Transfer the design
Hold or tape the tissue paper (drawing-side up) to the surface of the mug. Using your pencil, trace over the drawing, being careful not to tear the paper. Once finished, remove the tissue paper.

Step 4: Paint over the design with marker
If you're using a brand-new marker, press the tip repeatedly onto a piece of scrap paper to get the paint flowing. Carefully re-trace over the transferred design. If you make a mistake, dab the affected

Step 5: Let dry
Allow the finished mug to air-dry overnight. Next, place in a 300-degree oven for 30 minutes. Then, turn the oven off, leaving the mug inside to slowly cool. Once it's cool enough to handle, the mug is now dishwasher-safe and ready to use.

This project is the brainchild of Brieanne Dyas, whose inspiring work is featured on CraftFoxes and who sells wares on her Etsy store, Dinner at Eight.